# Miguel I of Portugal > King of Portugal from 1828 to 1834 **Wikidata**: [Q310790](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310790) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_I_of_Portugal) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/miguel-i-of-portugal ## Summary Miguel I of Portugal, born Miguel Maria Evaristo of Braganza, was the King of Portugal from 1828 to 1834. He is most notably recognized for his absolutist reign during a period of intense political upheaval, known as the Liberal Wars, in which he opposed constitutional monarchy and was ultimately defeated by the liberal forces supporting his niece, Queen Maria II. ## Biography - Born: October 26, 1802 - Nationality: Portuguese (Kingdom of Portugal) - Education: No formal education data provided - Known for: Reign as King of Portugal during the Liberal Wars and absolutist rule - Employer(s): Kingdom of Portugal - Field(s): Monarchy, Sovereign Leadership ## Contributions Miguel I's primary contribution lies in his role as a sovereign during a critical period in Portuguese history. His reign from 1828 to 1834 was marked by his staunch opposition to constitutionalism and his efforts to restore absolute monarchy. This led to the Liberal Wars, a civil conflict between his supporters (Miguelistas) and the liberal constitutionalists. His defeat in 1834 resulted in the end of his claim to the throne and the restoration of the constitutional monarchy under Queen Maria II. ## FAQs ### Who was Miguel I of Portugal? Miguel I of Portugal was the King of Portugal from 1828 to 1834. He was a member of the House of Braganza and was known for his absolutist stance, which led to the Liberal Wars against the Portuguese constitutionalists. ### What is Miguel I known for? Miguel I is known for his claim to the Portuguese throne, his absolutist policies, and his role in the Liberal Wars. His reign ended in 1834 when he was defeated by the liberal forces, leading to the restoration of constitutional monarchy. ### What were Miguel I's political beliefs? Miguel I was a staunch absolutist who opposed constitutional monarchy. He attempted to restore absolute rule in Portugal, which led to significant conflict, including the Liberal Wars. ### What happened to Miguel I after 1834? After his defeat in 1834, Miguel I was forced to renounce his claim to the Portuguese throne and went into exile. He lived the remainder of his life abroad, primarily in Austria and Italy. ### What are the Miguelista movements? The Miguelista movement denotes support for Miguel I's claim to the Portuguese throne. They were primarily composed of traditionalists and absolutists who opposed the liberal constitutional regime. ## Why They Matter Miguel I of Portugal played a pivotal role in the political dynamics of 19th-century Portugal. His absolutist reign and the subsequent conflict known as the Liberal Wars significantly shaped the country's path toward constitutional governance. His defeat marked the end of absolutism in Portugal and solidified the constitutional monarchy. The legacy of Miguel I continues to be studied for understanding the broader European struggle between absolutism and liberalism during this period. ## Notable For - Reigning as King of Portugal from 1828 to 1834 - Leading the Miguelista faction during the Liberal Wars - Being a central figure in the end of absolutist rule in Portugal - His eventual exile following defeat in 1834 - His opposition to constitutional monarchy, which influenced Portuguese political evolution ## Body ### Early Life Miguel I was born on October 26, 1802. He was a member of the Portuguese House of Braganza, the ruling dynasty of Portugal. As a prince, he was styled Don Miguel and was later known as Miguel Maria Evaristo of Braganza. ### Accession to the Throne Miguel I became King of Portugal in 1828 after a period of political turmoil. His rise to power was supported by traditionalist factions who favored absolute monarchy over the liberal constitutional system that had been briefly established. ### Reign and Political Conflict Miguel I's reign from 1828 to 1834 was characterized by his absolutist policies. He refused to uphold the constitutional charter established by his brother, King Pedro IV (Pedro I of Brazil), which led to the outbreak of the Liberal Wars. These conflicts were fought between Miguel's absolutist supporters, known as Miguelistas, and the liberal constitutionalists who sought to uphold the constitutional monarchy. ### The Liberal Wars The Liberal Wars (1828–1834) were a civil conflict sparked by Miguel I's refusal to recognize the constitutional monarchy. The war saw Miguelistas fighting against the liberal forces that supported the legitimate claim of Queen Maria II, Pedro IV's daughter. The conflict ended in 1834 with Miguel I's defeat and capture. ### Exile and Later Life Following his defeat in 1834, Miguel I was forced to renounce his claim to the Portuguese throne. He went into exile, spending his remaining years primarily in Austria and Italy. He died on November 14, 1866. ### Awards and Recognitions Miguel I received several honors during his lifetime, including: - Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky - Order of St. Andrew - Order of the Thistle These awards reflect international recognition from various European orders of chivalry, although their specific context within his life remains tied to diplomatic and royal traditions of the time. ### Legacy Miguel I's legacy is deeply entwined with the political transformation of Portugal in the 19th century. His absolutist reign and the subsequent civil conflict marked a definitive end to the possibility of absolute monarchy in Portugal. His life and reign are studied as a critical juncture in the evolution of Portuguese political structures and the broader European ideological struggle between absolutism and constitutionalism. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. The Peerage 3. International Standard Name Identifier 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. BnF authorities 6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 7. Find a Grave 8. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. Sejm-Wielki.pl